VeriSign controls the database for generic top level domain names (gTLDs), such as .com, .net and .org and has recently been offering these in Chinese script. CNNIC controls the database for the .cn country-code top level domain names, including those in English and Chinese script. However, CNNIC also wants control of any gTLDs written in Chinese script.
CNNIC has accused VeriSign of infringing China’s sovereignty and introducing an inferior standard. Further, CNNIC’s intent is to unify rules with other authorities in the Greater China Area (including Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau) regarding supervision of Chinese script domain names, although there are sceptics as to CNNIC’c effectiveness in dealing with cybersquatting.